Kyiv, Odesa hit by new Russia drone attacks

Russian forces have again sent fleets of drones over major Ukrainian cities. There was reported damage to port facilities in Odesa as Russia continues to target grain infrastructure. 

Russia launched major drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the main Black Sea port of Odesa overnight to Wednesday, causing damage to port infrastructure in the latter, Ukrainian authorities say.

The attacks come a day after Russia said it brought down Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, Russian-held Crimea and vessels in the Black Sea.

Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is now in its 18th month.

Operations were suspended at the Danube port of Izmail after Russian drone strikes damaged some of its structures, Reuters news agency reported.

The port, in Ukraine's Odesa region, served as the main alternative route for shipping grain supplies from Ukrainian ports to the rest of the world after the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal.

Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov wrote the strikes "attacked warehouses and grain elevators — almost 40 thousand tons of grain were damaged, which was expected by the countries of Africa, China and Isreal."

These photos show the lives of hundreds of millions of people. In Ukraine, in Europe, in Africa.

The Ukraine grain deal allowed Kyiv to safely ship agricultural products to the rest of the world, especially developing countries in Africa.

But Russia said its end of the deal was not upheld and exited the deal in July.

The Kremlin said Wednesday it was willing to return to the agreement if its interests are upheld. These interests include lifting barriers on payments and logistics for shipments.